The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-31
LEGEND OF THOMAS DIDYMUs.

Once when the people had followed him
into the wilderness, and were far from any
place where they could buy bread, and his
disciples had only few loaves and some fishes
he told them to sit down on the grass. He
seemed filled with a mighty pity for these
poor people who followed him, because they
had no friend, nor any helper in their mis-
cry; and he was to them such friend that
they could not bear to go away from him.
He had crossed the lake to escape the crowds,
and had gone into mountain to stay some
days until the gatherings had dispersed; but
the poor people followed after him, all the
way round the upper end of the lake, and
coming to the place where he was, stood
still, watching him. They seemed like sheep,
who follow blindly wherever the shepherd
goes, moving where he moves, and standing
still when he stops. He told US, "They have
no other shepherd, these poor sheep, but my
self" He asked them to sit down on the
grass, and taught them of the goodness of
COP to all His creatures, and that to do good
and give brought greater JOY to the heart
than to receive. So the day wore away, and
evening drew near; and we said to each other,
they may go and buy something to eat"
Thus we spoke; but he replied, telling Us to
give them to eat out of our own stores. And
when we counted what we had brought for
two days for our own food in the desert, we
found that we had only five loaves and two
fishes to make the bread more pleasant to
the TASTE But he took it, and told the peo-
pie that all men should give to each other;
and, if they gave what they had, GoD would
that, as proof, he would give them his own
food to divide among them all. And then he
lifted up his hands, aud asked COP to bless
US with the food of the heart, to make us
truly care for others more than for ourselves.
The prayer was so heavenly that all my own
hunger went away; and tears were falling
from many eyes. The people took little
morsels from his hands, and tasted, and gave
it quickly to their neighbors. saw many
who had concealed their food to keep it for
their own use; and they, also, brought it for
ward to be blessed, and gave it speedily to
each other. Thus, as he continued to speak,
we all sat in heavenly places, and ate the
food of angels, each caring for others more
than for himself. When all had eaten JESUS
told us to gather up the fragments which re-
manned, that nothing be lost; for he always
taught us to reverence the gifts of COP.
Thus we gathered up the fragments, and they
filed twelve baskets; and men said it was
mighty work of power which had caused the
few loaves suddenly to grow into great
number. l, too, thought it a mighty and
wonderful work; but I thought it was not
done to the bread, but to the souls of men,
by creating pity for each other, and making
them glad to bestow on others what they
had. The poor, know, often are made Gov
etous and hard-hearted by their poverty; but
the words of JESUS had SO opened their hearts
that the poorest produced the bread hidden
in their wallets and their garments, so that
there was enough for all. Perhaps, also, the
food given to their souls, and the heavenly
illumination, had taken away the hunger of
the body.-James Freeman Clarke.